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Greenpeace attempts Faslane block Faslane blockade protest arrests
(about 1 hour later)
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace is attempting to blockade the Faslane naval base on the Clyde. Greenpeace campaigners have been arrested after they attempted to mount a blockade at the naval base which houses the UK's nuclear deterrent.
It said the ship "Artic Sunrise" is involved as well as about a dozen other craft, including dinghies and canoes. Activists sailed into a restricted area at the Faslane submarine base on the Clyde, home of the Trident missile fleet, at about 0800 GMT.
Greenpeace said the protest was launched as Labour MPs prepared to board one of the nuclear submarines. The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise breached the area on the Gareloch and 16 arrests were made.
A spokesman for the campaigners said Arctic Sunrise is anchored at the base entrance. It is understood 16 protestors have been arrested. MoD police said the Arctic Sunrise was being escorted from the area.
He added that there was a traffic jam outside the base but said the situation was being contained. Greenpeace spokesman Ben Stewart said they had mounted the action because a delegation of Labour MPs had been due to tour a submarine at the base.
Speaking from the scene, he said: "We have got the boats into a narrow of the Gareloch and at the moment there are about 10 police boats out on the water with us.
We're blockading the base because these nuclear arms submarines pose a threat to the security of the world Louise EdgeGreenpeace campaigner Inside a nuclear submarineWe're blockading the base because these nuclear arms submarines pose a threat to the security of the world Louise EdgeGreenpeace campaigner Inside a nuclear submarine
The campaigners are inviting politicians to join them on board their ship. "We are going to stay here as long as possible and we'd urge the Labour MPs to come on board the Arctic Sunrise."
A spokeswoman said volunteers were attempting to scale HMS Vigilant, one of the UK's Vanguard nuclear submarines berthed at Faslane. The Royal Navy confirmed that MPs had been due to make a visit to Faslane but it was cancelled last week.
A spokeswoman said: "Members of Greenpeace breached a security zone in the Gareloch at around 8am but we are containing the incident.
"There had been MPs due to make a visit the base today but it was cancelled last week.
'Exclusion zone'
"Sixteen people have been arrested so far but the situation is ongoing.
"They have entered an exclusion zone at the base."
Prime Minister Tony Blair announced plans late last year to upgrade the Trident nuclear weapons system at a cost of more than £20bn.
The UK Parliament is due to formally decide in March on whether to give the renewal the go-ahead.
Louise Edge, Greenpeace campaigner on board the Arctic Sunrise, said: "We're blockading the base because these nuclear arms submarines pose a threat to the security of the world, not least by encouraging other countries to go nuclear in the future."Louise Edge, Greenpeace campaigner on board the Arctic Sunrise, said: "We're blockading the base because these nuclear arms submarines pose a threat to the security of the world, not least by encouraging other countries to go nuclear in the future."